Many people find it difficult, if not impossible, to take the vacation time that is coming to them and get away from the office for a while. There are always a million reasons why "taking a vacation is impossible right now." Work is too busy, you have a presentation/meeting/client on the horizon that you can't miss, etc. Some folks even proudly proclaim, "Oh, I never use my vacation time," as if that's a good thing. But, in a lot of ways, it's not. Maybe this list of reasons that you simply must take a vacation, even though you "really can't right now" will help to convince you.

Do you dream of working while traveling the world? If you can't fathom planting your roots in a single city, you might think of yourself as a "digital nomad" instead – spending a few weeks or a few months in a different city, staying with friends or in an Airbnb rental while working at the same time.

The most popular jobs in a given geographic area are usually pretty unsurprising, including titles like cashier, waitstaff, and customer service representative. It's not that there's anything wrong with these jobs; it's just that their very commonness means that you're used to hearing about them. But, what about the unusual jobs that are more common in one place than another – the helicopter pilots and professional gardeners and amusement park attendants? Those are the gigs PayScale looked at in a section of its latest data package on the best jobs for you. If you want a job that's common where you live, but uncommon anywhere else, start with this map.

Most workers have probably heard of FMLA, but how many really understand what it means, in terms of rights and limitations? Worse, a lot of employers don't know where the line is. In this week's roundup, Alison Green advises an Ask a Manager reader on what he can expect from FMLA. Plus, we learn why high school students should learn how to use social media, and how job hopping can be good (or very bad) for your career.

If you hate your job, the best part of waking up is … hitting the snooze button and going back to sleep. We'll take a look at a recent study that ranked the nation's states based on level of employee engagement at work. Read on to see where your home turf ranks – you may be surprised as to which states are lowest on the list.

Fear can make you want to run and hide. It can hold you back and prevent you from taking risks, because you're too scared of something negative happening in return. Fear can be a beast that ruins your life and crushes your potential, but it doesn't have to be. Here's how you can use fear to propel you, rather than stifle you.

The main purpose of FMLA or the Family and Medical Leave Act is to help employees balance work and personal/familial needs. By way of the FMLA, you can take up to 12 weeks leave in any 12-month period for personal or an immediate family member's medical exigencies, expansion of family, or for matters arising out of a family member's call for military duty. If you're thinking about taking FMLA, there are things you need to know in order to make sure you get the coverage you're entitled to.

Some people don't procrastinate. It's shocking, but true. These calm, level-headed folks function on a rotating pattern of accomplishment and relaxation. A balance is achieved, stress is kept at bay, and stuff gets done. However, everyone is different. Not everyone can achieve, function, and thrive, when things flow in such an orderly and relaxed way. Some of us need chaos to do our best work. So, we procrastinate.

Research shows that 65 percent of managers are "checked-out" at work, which means that there's a 65 percent chance that your boss is not so great. If you're unsure as to whether your direct manager is part of the misery-inducing majority, then here are a few surefire ways to tell. You're welcome and good luck.

Wondering about whether to go back to school to finish (or start) your bachelor's degree? You might not have to worry quite as much about whether you'll have a job after graduation, at least compared to grads from the past few years. The latest research shows that full-time, permanent jobs for college graduates are on the rise.

Ask any career counselor: working in the wrong field is like trying to write with your less-dominant hand. Maybe you can struggle along, but you're never going to excel – and worst of all, it's uncomfortable. That's why the goal when picking a career isn't to choose the highest-paying job or even the job with the best occupational outlook. To really do well in your chosen field, you need to pick a job that fits your personality, skills, aptitudes, and interests. PayScale's latest data package helps you determine just that, starting with an interactive quiz that helps you figure out which job is the best job for you.

Take Our Children to Work Day is Thursday, April 23rd, and if you still need convincing that this 20-year-old holiday is worth observing, there are a lot of great reasons to consider. Whether you run a small business, work in an office, or work from home, your children could learn a lot from spending the day with you at work. Here are some do's and don'ts to help you maximize the potential of the day.

Ever feel like you always have so much to do, yet never get anything done? You likely have an ongoing task list, Post-it notes stuck all around your desk ,and co-workers constantly approaching you with more things they need help with. With so much that needs to get done, it's easy to forget everything you've accomplished — and chances are that's a lot.

We grew up hearing that money doesn't buy happiness, but if the past few years of economic turmoil have proved anything, it's that poverty can buy misery. It's no wonder if many of us have now changed our tune when it comes to the actual price of the best things in life, etc. But, there's a big difference between putting up with a less-than-exciting job in order to pay the bills and enduring a truly terrible work experience. The question is, does any salary, no matter how huge, make an awful job worth it?

An old trend in early elementary education and child care has resurfaced and has been causing controversy (and more than a few tears - shed by children and parents alike). The divisive method is known as the color-coded behavior chart. It's a system that's been used off and on for decades to simultaneously motivate and hold students accountable for their actions. These systems are also showing up in the workplace, and are being used to rank employees. But, does it work?

Wouldn't it be amazing if there was a way to see which employers offered the most generous leave options for employees, before you accepted a job offer? Well, now there is. Read on to learn more about a new site that provides a transparent look into companies' leave policies so that working parents can make a more informed decision about their next employer.

The opportunity to work from home can be a dream come true: no time spent commuting, no sitting in traffic, and the flexibility to work wherever and maybe even whenever you want. However, some people find it difficult to maintain a high level of productivity while working at home, and others find that the isolation causes depression, which is bad for both their personal and professional life. The following tips are proven to help people who work from home maintain their sanity, their happiness, and their productivity.

If you've ever longed to create and share bizarre animal GIFs with your co-workers at the touch of a button or instantly chat with your teammates on every device in your possession, Slack is the communication tool of your dreams. If your goal is to get stuff done and leave work, on the other hand, Amanda Hess's account of Slate's Slack experience might give you pause.